Process for the preparation of a support for catalysts, catalyst for the polymerization of olefins and process for the polymerization of olefins by means of this catalyst

ABSTRACT

Process for the manufacture of a support containing silica and at least one constituent chosen from alumina and aluminium phosphate, according to which an alcohol, water, a silicon alkoxide and an acid are mixed under conditions such that gelling or precipitation of silica is prevented, an acidic solution of an aluminium compound and/or a solution of a source of phosphate ions are added thereto, a gelling agent is added thereto, a gel is recovered which is washed with water and then by means of an organic liquid, the gel is then dried by atomization until a powder is obtained, and the powder is calcined. Polymerization of olefins in the presence of a catalyst containing chromium on a support as described above.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a support for catalysts, containing silica and at least one constituent chosen from alumina and aluminium phosphate. Additionally, it relates to catalysts for the polymerization of olefins containing chromium on such a support, as well as to the use of these catalysts in the polymerization of olefins.

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

Supports consisting of mixtures of oxides suited for the conversion of hydrocarbons are known. For instance, the patent application FR-A-231 59 97 describes a process for the preparation of supports containing alumina and aluminium phosphate according to which an aluminium alkoxide is reacted with an aqueous solution of phosphate ions, the support is collected and calcined.

The patent application EP-A-283 815 describes a process for the preparation of a composition containing alumina as the preponderant constituent, and silica, the process comprising the following steps:

(a) mixing a first quantity of an aqueous solution (I) of an aluminium salt with a first quantity of an aqueous solution (II) of an alkaline metal aluminate to obtain a hydrogel suspension of alumina precipitated at a pH of from 8 to 10,

(b) adding a second quantity of the solution (I) to obtain a pH of from 2 to 4,

(c) adding a second quantity of the solution (II) to obtain a pH of from 8 to 10,

(d) repeating at least once the steps (b) and (c),

(e) adding an aqueous solution of an alkaline metal silicate to obtain an alumina-silica hydrogel suspension,

(f) seperating the hydrogel from the suspension,

(g) dehydrating the obtained hydrogel by heating.

especially an impregnation step of the composition obtained in (g) by means of a solution containing a phosphorous compound followed by heating steps.

A description is given, in Example IA of Patent Application GB-A-2,090,158, of a process for the preparation of a support for catalysts composed of silica and aluminium phosphate, according to which a solution containing isopropanol, water, phosphoric acid, silicon ethoxide and sulphuric acid is prepared, aluminium nitrate, aminodihydroxyphosphine and chromium nitrate are added thereto and ammonium hydroxide is introduced therein to produce cogelling.

This known support shows a high degree of heterogeneity and consequently crystallizes very quickly when it is calcined at temperatures greater than 700° C. Moreover, this support does not simultaneously combine a high specific surface with a high pore volume. The result thereof is that this known support does not make it possible to manufacture chromium-based catalysts for the polymerization of olefins which show, at the same time, a high catalytic activity, a low induction period for the polymerization and a good response to hydrogen. Moreover, it does not make it possible to obtain polyolefins having a molecular mass distribution which can be adjusted between a moderately broad distribution and a very broad distribution for a given melt index and it generally gives rise to a significant formation of oligomers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a new process, which makes it possible to obtain a support of homogeneous and amorphous structure, which is resistant to crystallization, which simultaneously possesses a high pore volume and a high specific surface, and which, when it is used as a support for a chromium-based catalyst in the polymerization of olefins, confers the following combined advantages on this catalyst:

a high catalytic activity even in the absence of a cocatalyst,

a low, indeed non-existent, period of induction for the polymerization,

a good response to hydrogen,

this catalyst making it possible to obtain polyolefins having:

a molecular mass distribution which can be adjusted between a moderately broad distribution and a very broad distribution for a given melt index, and

a low oligomer fraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The FIGURE represents a ternary phase diagram of catalyst compositions of silica, alumina, and aluminum phosphate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Consequently, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a support for catalysts containing silica and at least one constituent chosen from alumina and aluminium phosphate, according to which, in a first stage, an alcohol, water, a silicon alkoxide and an acid are mixed in amounts such that the water/silicon molar ratio is from 2 to 50, the first stage being carried out at acid pH and comprising, on the one hand, the addition of water, acid, silicon alkoxide and alcohol, the temperature, during the addition, being less than or equal to 30° C. and, on the other hand, a maturing of the hydrolysis medium thus obtained at a temperature at least equal to 20° C. and lower than the boiling temperature of the medium, so as to substitute at least part of the alkoxy groups of the silicon alkoxide by hydroxyl groups, without producing gelling or precipitation of silica, in a second stage, an acidic solution of an aluminium compound and/or a solution of a source of phosphate ions, and, in a third stage, a gelling agent are added to the hydrolysis medium thus obtained to form a precursor gel, the precursor gel is then washed with water and then by means of an organic liquid, a suspension of the gel in the organic liquid is recovered, the suspension is then dried until a powder is obtained, and the powder is calcined; according to the invention, the drying is carried out by atomization.

In the process according to the invention, the silicon alkoxide used in the first stage can be any compound in which silicon is bonded to at least one alkoxy group, such as a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic or aromatic alkoxy. The alkoxy groups generally comprise from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Silicon alkoxides comprising alkoxy groups of aliphatic type are especially recommended; those comprising alkoxy groups of unsubstituted saturated aliphatic type are preferred, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl groups. Silicon alkoxides which are well suited are silicon tetraethoxide, tetramethoxide and tetra-isopropoxide. Silicon tetraethoxide is very particularly preferred. Of course, a number of silicon alkoxides can be used in the first stage of the process according to the invention.

In the process according to the invention, the alcohol used in the first stage has the function of dissolving the silicon alkoxide. In principle, any alcohol which dissolves the silicon alkoxide and which is miscible with water may be suitable. Thus, it is possible to use an alcohol in which the hydrocarbon group can be unsubstituted or partially or totally substitued, linear or cyclic, aromatic or aliphatic, or saturated or unsaturated. Linear aliphatic alcohols are preferred. Mention may be made, as examples, of ethanol, isopropanol and methanol. Ethanol is very particularly preferred. It is obvious that it is possible to use a number of alcohols simultaneously in the first stage of the process according to the invention. An alcohol is preferably used in which the hydrocarbon group corresponds to that of the alkoxy group of the silicon alkoxide used.

The amount of alcohol used in the first stage of the process according to the invention must be sufficient to make it possible for the silicon alkoxide to completely dissolve and consequently depends on the silicon alkoxide and alcohol selected, on the solubility of the silicon alkoxide in the alcohol and on the temperature at which the first stage is carried out. In practice, there is no advantage in using an amount which is much greater than the minimum amount necessary, because a large excess would lead to a pointless dilution of the mixture resulting from the first stage, which is to be avoided.

The first stage of the process according to the invention has the object (a) of partially hydrolysing the silicon alkoxide in the presence of water and (b) of partially condensing the hydrolysed silicon alkoxide, according to the following reactions:

    Si(O--R).sub.4 +xH.sub.2 O→Si(OH).sub.x (O--R).sub.4-x +xR--OH(a)

    2Si(OH).sub.x (O--R).sub.4-x →O-- Si(OH).sub.x-1 (O--R).sub.4-x !.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O

    or

    2Si(OH).sub.x (O--R).sub.4-x → Si(OH).sub.x (O--R).sub.3-x !--O-- Si(OH).sub.x-1 (O--R).sub.4-x !+R--OH              (b)

in which R represents a hydrocarbon radical which can be aromatic or aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, or linear, branched or cyclic, which can optionally be different in the four groups (O--R), and x represents a number greater than 0 and less than 4, preferably from 0.1 to 3.9. In the first stage, an amount of water is used such that the molar ratio of this amount of water to the amount of silicon alkoxide used is from 2 to 50. Preferably, this molar ratio is from 2 to 20, more particularly from 8 to 12, for example approximately 10.

The expression "hydrolysed and condensed silicon alkoxide" is subsequently understood to denote the compounds O-- Si(OH)_(x-1) (O--R)_(4-x) !₂ and Si(OH)_(x) (O--R)_(3-x) !--O-- Si(OH)_(x-1) (O--R)_(4-x) ! as defined above.

One of the essential characteristics of the process according to the invention is the combination of operating conditions, in the first hydrolysis stage, such that any precipitation or gelling of silica in the hydrolysis medium is avoided. To this end, the mixing in the first stage is carried out under specific conditions regarding the pH and the temperature of the hydrolysis medium, the molar ratio of the amounts of water and silicon alkoxide used, and the way of mixing the reactants. The term hydrolysis medium is understood to denote the medium obtained after mixing water, acid, silicon alkoxide and alcohol. To this end, in the first stage of the process according to the invention, the pH of the hydrolysis medium is acidic. In general, the pH is less than 3, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5, for example approximately equal to 1. The acid used in the first stage can be inorganic or organic in nature. It is advantageously chosen from acids which are miscible with water and whose anion can be easily removed in a subsequent treatment of the precursor gel. It can, for example, be hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric or sulphuric acid. Hydrochloric acid or nitric acid is preferably used. Hydrochloric acid is particularly well suited. It is optionally possible to use a number of acids in the first stage of the process according to the invention. The amount of acid must be sufficient to keep the pH acidic throughout the duration of the first stage. The amount of acid consequently depends on the degree of acidity of the acid used and the other reactants and on the temperature at which the first stage is carried out. There is no advantage in using an excessively high amount of acid in order to avoid having to remove the excess of acid or of its derivatives in a subsequent treatment stage of the precursor gel.

In the first stage of the process according to the invention, it is important to mix the reactants in a controlled way in order to prevent precipitation or gelling of silica and to prevent the mixture from heating up. To this end, the reactants can be mixed by any known appropriate means provided that the temperature during the addition of the reactants is at most equal to 30° C. and that neither precipitation nor gelling of silica takes place. Mixing is preferably carried out by addition of a premix comprising the water and the acid to a premix containing the silicon alkoxide and the alcohol. This can be carried out by adding the water/acid premix to the alcohol/silicon alkoxide premix. Another method consists in adding the alcohol/silicon alkoxide premix to the water/acid premix. Good results are obtained by adding one of the premixes dropwise to the other premix kept stirred. Particularly satisfactory results are obtained by adding the water/acid premix, dropwise and with stirring, to the alcohol/silicon alkoxide premix.

In the first stage of the process according to the invention, the temperature, during the addition of the reactants, is kept below 30° C., preferably below 20° C., typically approximately 10° C., temperatures greater than 0° C. being recommended; the hydrolysis medium is then matured at a temperature at least equal to 20° C. and lower than the boiling temperature of the medium, for example from 30° to 100° C., temperatures from 40° to 80° C. being most common and those from 50° to 70° C. being recommended. Maturing of the hydrolysis medium is preferably carried out at a temperature greater than that of the addition of the reactants.

In the first stage of the process according to the invention, the maturing has the function of making possible progressive hydrolysis and condensation of the silicon alkoxide according to the reactions defined above. Everything else remaining equal, the degree of hydrolysis of the alkoxide becomes higher (the number x becomes greater) as the duration of the maturing increases. The duration of maturing must consequently be sufficient for the hydrolysis reaction as described above to take place; however, it must be less than the time required for gelling or precipitation of silica to take place. The optimum duration of the maturing depends on the pH of the hydrolysis medium, on the nature of the reactants present in the hydrolysis medium and on the temperature and can vary from a few minutes to several tens of hours. Generally, the duration does not exceed 24 hours. Preferably, the duration is from 0.5 to 3 hours.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, a titanium alkoxide is additionally used in the first stage. The titanium alkoxide can, for example, be a compound in which the titanium is bonded to at least one alkoxy group, such as an unsubstituted or substituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic or aromatic alkoxy. The alkoxy groups generally comprise from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The titanium alkoxide is preferably soluble in the hydrolysis medium. Titanium acetylacetonate is particularly well suited. Of course, it is possible to use a number of titanium alkoxides in the first stage of the process according to the invention. The titanium alkoxide can optionally be used in the form of a solution in a liquid hydrocarbon. Alcohols are well suited.

The amount of titanium alkoxide used in this embodiment is generally such that the titanium is present in the precursor gel in a proportion varying from 0.05 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight, more particularly from 0.5 to 10% by weight of titanium based on the total weight of the solid fraction of the precursor gel.

In this embodiment, the titanium alkoxide can be used at any time in the first stage. The titanium alkoxide can, for example, be added to the premix comprising the water and the acid or to the premix containing the silicon alkoxide and the alcohol. As a variant, the titanium alkoxide can be added to the hydrolysis medium obtained after mixing water, acid, silicon alkoxide and alcohol, before, during or after maturing. Good results are obtained when the titanium alkoxide is added during the maturing. It is recommended to add the titanium alkoxide after a first part of the maturing, which advantageously represents from 40 to 60%, for example approximately 50%, of the total duration of the maturing, the second part being carried out after the addition of the titanium alkoxide.

This embodiment proves to be especially advantageous when it is desired to incorporate the titanium in the precursor gel in a high amount, which can range up to 20% by weight of the total weight of the solid fraction of the precursor gel, while preventing the formation, in a subsequent stage, of crystalline titanium dioxide agglomerates in the "anatase" or "rutile" form.

The aluminium compound used in the second stage of the process according to the invention can be any aluminium compound which is soluble in the acidic solution used in the second stage and which is capable of being gelled under the effect of a gelling agent. Inorganic aluminium salts and aluminium alkoxides are especially recommended. Use is generally made, among aluminium alkoxides, of those in which the aluminium is bonded to at least one alkoxy group. Among aluminium alkoxides, those containing aliphatic groups are especially recommended; those containing unsubstituted, saturated, linear aliphatic groups are preferred, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl groups. Use is preferably made of an aluminium alkoxide in which the alkoxy groups contain from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Aluminium alkoxides in which the alkoxy group corresponds to that of the silicon alkoxide used are particularly well suited.

Satisfactory results are obtained with inorganic aluminium salts. Aluminium nitrate and chloride are particularly preferred among inorganic aluminium salts.

In a specific embodiment of the process according to the invention, in which an aluminium alkoxide is used as aluminium compound, the latter is used, at least in part, in the first stage of the process according to the invention, preferably, if appropriate, in the alcohol/silicon alkoxide premix. The aluminium alkoxide can also be added on conclusion of the first stage, after the maturing.

In the process according to the invention, the term source of phosphate ions denotes any compound which is soluble in the solution used in the second stage and which is capable of forming phosphate ions therein. Inorganic phosphate salts for example, monocalcium phosphate of formula CaH₄ (PO₄)₂, disodium phosphate of formula Na₂ HPO₄ and tricalcium phosphate of formula Ca₃ (PO₄)₂ !, phosphate esters for example, ethyl phosphate of formula (C₂ H₅)₃ PO₄ ! and phosphoric acid are especially recommended. Phosphoric acid is preferably used.

The acidic solution of the aluminium compound and the solution of the source of phosphate ions used in the second stage of the process according to the invention can be prepared by any known appropriate means and are preferably miscible with the mixture obtained in the first stage of the process according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, the source of phosphate ions is added beforehand to the acidic solution of the aluminium compound so that, in the second stage of the process according to the invention, only a single, acidic, solution comprising simultaneously the aluminium compound and the source of phosphate ions is used.

In a first variant of this embodiment of the process according to the invention, where the acidic solution contains only the aluminium compound and is free from a source of phosphate ions, the acidic solution is generally obtained by dissolving the aluminium compound in an amount of water and/or of an alcohol which is sufficient to ensure complete dissolution and by adding thereto an acid in an amount sufficient to prevent the formation of aluminium hydroxide, which would immediately precipitate and would consequently no longer participate in the formation of the precursor gel. Water is preferably used to dissolve the aluminium compound. In practice, there is no advantage in using an amount of solvent (water or alcohol) greater than the minimum amount necessary, because any excess solvent would involve removing it during the subsequent drying treatment of the gel. The acid used can be chosen from those which can be used in the first stage of the process according to the invention.

In a second variant of this embodiment of the process according to the invention, where the acidic solution contains only the source of phosphate ions and is free from an aluminium compound, the acidic solution is generally prepared by dissolving the source of phosphate ions in a sufficient amount of water and/or of alcohol and preferably without an extravagant excess, for the grounds stated above. In this second variant, the source of phosphate ions confers an acidic nature on the solution, so that it is pointless to add an additional acid to the solution.

In a third variant of this embodiment of the process according to the invention, which is preferred, the solution simultaneously contains the aluminium compound and the source of phosphate ions and the acidic solution is obtained by dissolving the aluminium compound and the source of phosphate ions in any order in an amount of water and/or of alcohol which is sufficient but without extravagant excess, for the grounds stated above. In this preferred variant, it can prove to be pointless additionally to add an acid thereto, provided that the source of phosphate ions confers an acidity on the solution which is sufficient to prevent the formation of aluminium hydroxide.

It is obvious that it is possible to use simultaneously, in the second stage, a number of aluminium compounds and/or a number of sources of phosphate ions.

In the second stage of the process according to the invention, the addition of the acidic solution of the aluminium compound and of the solution of the source of phosphate ions to the mixture obtained in the first stage can, for example, be carried out by pouring the mixture resulting from the first stage into one of the two solutions or into the mixture of these two solutions (the acidic solution of the aluminium compound and the solution of the source of phosphate ions). As a variant, the mixture of the two solutions can be added to the mixture resulting from the first stage, in which case it is preferable, in order to prevent the medium thus obtained from heating up, to carry out the addition very slowly by introducing the mixture of the two solutions dropwise into the medium, with vigorous stirring, the medium being thermostatically controlled at a temperature below 30° C., typically below or equal to 20° C., for example between 0° and 10° C., throughout the duration of the addition.

The gelling agent used in the third stage of the process according to the invention is any compound capable of causing cogelling of the reactants used in the first and the second stage (the hydrolysed and condensed silicon alkoxide resulting from the first stage and defined above, the aluminium compound and/or the source of phosphate ions and optionally the titanium alkoxide) in the form of a mixed oxide of silicon and of aluminium and/or of phosphorus and optionally of titanium. Mention may be made, as examples of gelling agent, of ethylene oxide, ammonium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide. An aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution is preferably used.

The amount of gelling agent used in the third stage is preferably sufficient to make it possible for the hydrolysed and condensed silicon alkoxide defined above, the aluminium compound and the phosphate compound present in the cogelling medium to be completely gelled. The term cogelling medium is understood to denote the reaction mixture in the course of gelling in the third stage of the process. The cogelling medium consequently comprises the medium obtained on conclusion of the second stage of the process according to the invention (comprising the hydrolysed and condensed silicon alkoxide, the aluminium compound and/or the source of phosphate ions) and the gelling agent. The amount of gelling agent used is advantageously sufficient to make it possible for the total mass of hydrolysed and condensed silicon alkoxide, of aluminium compound and of source of phosphate ions to be completely cogelled; it is preferably slightly greater than this sufficient amount.

In the third stage of the process according to the invention, the pH of the cogelling medium is generally greater than or equal to 5, typically greater than or equal to 6; it is usually less than 11, values less than 10 being recommended. The pH is preferably kept constant at a value of 6 to 10, for example 8, throughout the duration of the cogelling. The steadiness of the pH can be provided by any known appropriate means, for example by using a buffer which is inert with respect to the reactants in the course of gelling, or by using equipment which makes it possible to control the, continuous or non-continuous, supply into the cogelling medium of a compound which modifies the pH. Use is preferably made of a receptacle containing the gelling agent, into which the mixture resulting from the second stage and a pH-regulating compound are introduced separately and in a controlled way. It is possible to employ, as pH-regulating compound, any acidic or basic compound which is inert with respect to the reactants in the course of gelling.

In the third stage of the process according to the invention, it can prove to be advantageous, depending on the properties of the precursor gel which it is desired to obtain, to thermostatically control the cogelling medium at a temperature below or equal to 30° C., preferably at a temperature of 0° to 20° C.

In a first particularly advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, it is possible additionally to incorporate, in the precursor gel, a transition metal chosen from the elements of groups IVB and VB of the periodic table, such as zirconium and vanadium, or an element of group IIIA of the periodic table, other than aluminium, such as boron. To this end, an organic or inorganic salt or an alkoxide of one of these elements is added to the mixture obtained in the first or in the second stage of the process according to the invention, before carrying out the following stage. If appropriate, it is possible to add the salt or the alkoxide to the water/acid premix or to the alcohol/silicon alkoxide premix used in the first stage of the process according to the invention.

In a second embodiment of the process according to the invention, which is preferred, the gel resulting from the third stage is subjected to a maturing. The latter is carried out in a maturing medium, which can be the cogelling medium recovered from the third stage, optionally with stirring. An inert compound which modifies the pH of the maturing medium, for example a basic compound, can be added thereto. As a variant, the gel is first separated from the cogelling medium, for example by centrifuging, and is then resuspended in an inert liquid such as water or an alcohol in order to carry out the maturing. This variant has the advantage of removing part of the ionic impurities adsorbed in the gel, arising from the reactants used during the manufacture of the gel.

The maturing has the function of prolonging the cogelling and thus modifying the specific surface and the pore volume of the gel. It is usually carried out at a temperature which can vary from room temperature up to the boiling temperature of the maturing medium. Maturing is preferably carried out at approximately 20° C. The duration of the maturing depends on the temperature and on the required properties (specific surface and pore volume) of the support. It can consequently be from a few minutes to several tens of hours. The best results are obtained with a duration of at least one hour. For considerations of an economic nature, there is no advantage in prolonging the maturing beyond 48 hours.

The maturing is generally carried out at a pH greater than or equal to 6, preferably from 8 to 10.

On conclusion of the third stage of the process according to the invention and, if appropriate, after maturing, a precursor gel is recovered which is then washed, first with water and then by means of an organic liquid.

The washing with water generally consists in suspending the gel in an amount of water which is sufficient to remove at least part of the impurities contained in the gel and in then removing at least part of this amount of water by any known appropriate means, for example by centrifuging or by filtering. The removal is preferably carried out by centrifuging, taking into account the speed of this method. Of course, it is possible to repeat this washing with water a number of times. The temperature at which this washing is carried out has little influence on the efficiency of the washing and can consequently vary to a large extent. Washing is preferably carried out at room temperature.

The water-washed gel is then washed by means of an organic liquid, for example by dispersing the gel in this organic liquid at room temperature. The washing with the organic liquid has the function of removing at least part of the water which impregnates the gel. The organic liquid selected must be at least partially miscible with water and inert with respect to the gel but, however, capable of wetting the gel. It preferably has an evaporation temperature below 120° C., typically below 100° C., for example from 70° to 90° C. Organic liquids which can be used in this washing are alcohols, ethers or their mixtures. Alcohols are preferred, particularly those comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Isopropanol is well suited. Of course, it is possible to repeat this washing by means of an organic liquid a number of times and simultaneously to use a number of organic liquids. On conclusion of the washing, it is desirable to separate the gel from at least part of the water and organic liquid used by centrifuging or by filtering.

In the process according to the invention, a suspension of the gel in an organic liquid is recovered after washing by means of the organic liquid, which suspension is dried by atomization in order to remove the water and the organic liquid which had not been removed previously, until a powder of the support is obtained in the form of atomized particles.

The atomization can, for example, be carried out by spraying the suspension of the gel through an orifice of small size. It is generally carried out in a gas stream which is inert with respect to the gel. The gas stream is preferably free from oxygen. A gas stream comprising essentially nitrogen is well suited. The temperature of the gas stream is most often greater than 100° C. For example, temperatures of 150° to 450° C. (preferably of 200° to 400° C., for example approximately 300° C.) at the inlet of the atomization orifice and of 20° to 200° C. (preferably of 50° to 150° C.) at the end of the atomization are recommended. It is possible to operate without distinction at a pressure below, equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure. Pressures greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure are preferred, the values from 1 to 10 bar being the most recommended. The suspension of the gel can be introduced at room temperature (between 15° and 25° C.) into the gas, the atomized particles generally being found at the same temperature as the gas at the end of the atomization.

There is most often obtained, on conclusion of the drying, a powder having a moisture content below 1% by weight, preferably below 0.5% by weight, for example below 0.2% by weight.

The drying by atomization proves to be particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to simultaneously optimize the morphology and the porosity of the supports obtained, so that they are capable of being used as supports of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. In fact, the atomized particles are characterized, on the one hand, by a narrow size distribution and, on the other hand, by a narrow pore radius distribution and by a reduced, indeed non-existent, content of macropores with a radius greater than 2000 Å, while retaining a high pore volume.

On conclusion of the drying by atomization, a powder of the support is recovered which can optionally be sieved in order to separate therefrom the particles of undesired size. This powder is calcined. The calcination has the function of extracting, at high temperature, the organic impurities from the powder. It is generally continued until the weight of the powder remains constant with time, while avoiding crystallization of the powder. The calcination can be carried out under air (preferably under dry air) in a fluidized bed at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the powder. The temperature is generally from 300° to 1500° C., typically from 350° to 1000° C., preferably from 400° to 600° C.

The process according to the invention makes it possible, with a single procedure, to prepare supports for catalysts containing mixed oxides of silicon, of aluminium and/or of phosphorus in a wide range of concentrations. In effect, the process according to the invention makes it possible to cover the entire ternary diagram between the composition of silica, alumina and aluminium phosphate. The appended FIGURE represents this ternary phase diagram. The process according to the invention appears particularly outstanding for the manufacture of supports whose composition is situated in the shaded part of the said ternary phase diagram. The process according to the invention also makes it possible to incorporate a transition metal or an element such as boron in the support.

The process according to the invention makes it possible to prepare supports for catalysts in the amorphous state which have a very homogeneous dispersion of the constituents and which have, in combination, a specific surface, a pore volume and a resistance to crystallization which make them outstanding in the polymerization of olefins.

In view of its physical and structural characteristics, the support obtained by means of the process according to the invention finds a particularly advantageous application as a support for catalysts in the polymerization of olefins, the catalyst advantageously consisting of chromium oxide.

The supports prepared by means of the process according to the invention for the preparation of a support are particularly outstanding because they make it possible to obtain catalysts for the manufacture of polyolefins whose melt indices can vary to a large extent.

Moreover, the supports additionally containing titanium make it possible to obtain catalysts for the manufacture of polyolefins having good mechanical properties. Additionally, the presence of titanium in the support makes it possible to obtain polyolefins with very variable melt indices.

The invention consequently also relates to a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins containing chromium on a support obtained by means of the process in accordance with the invention, defined above.

The catalyst according to the intention can be obtained in a way known per se by impregnating the support powder with an aqueous or organic solution of a chromium compound, followed by drying in an oxidizing atmosphere. To this end, it is possible to use a chromium compound chosen from the soluble salts such as the oxides, the acetate, the chloride, the sulphate, the chromate and the bichromate in aqueous solution or such as the acetylacetonate in organic solution. After impregnating the support with the chromium compound, the impregnated support is generally activated by heating it at a temperature of 400° to 1000° C. in order to convert at least part of the chromium to hexavalent chromium.

The catalyst according to the invention can also be obtained by means of mechanical mixing of the powder of the support with a solid chromium compound, for example chromium acetylacetonate. This mixture can then be preactivated at a temperature below the melting temperature of the chromium compound before activating it conventionally as described above.

As a variant, the chromium compound can also be incorporated in the powder of the support during the manufacture of the latter or during the manufacture of the precursor gel of this support. To this end, it can, for example, be added, in all or in part, to the acidic solution of the aluminium compound and/or of the source of phosphate ions used in the second stage of the process according to the invention for the manufacture of a precursor gel so as to coprecipitate the oxide of chromium simultaneously with the oxide of silicon, of aluminium and/or of phosphorus. It is also possible to add the chromium compound to the precursor gel before or after the maturing of the latter.

In the catalyst according to the invention, the chromium is generally present in a proportion varying from 0.05 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, more particularly from 0.25 to 2% by weight of chromium based on the total weight of the catalyst.

The catalyst according to the invention appears particularly outstanding in the polymerization of olefins. In effect, for this application, the catalyst according to the invention combines the following advantages:

a high catalytic activity even in the absence of a cocatalyst,

a low, indeed non-existent, induction period,

a good response to hydrogen;

it additionally makes it possible to obtain polyolefins having:

a molecular mass distribution which can be adjusted from moderately broad to very broad for a given melt index, and

a low oligomer content.

The catalyst according to the invention can be used for the polymerization of olefins containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule and in particular for the production of homopolymers of ethylene or of copolymers of ethylene with one or a number of comonomers selected from the olefins described above. These comonomers are preferably propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, the 3- and 4-methyl-1-pentenes and 1-octene. Diolefins comprising from 4 to 18 carbon atoms can also be copolymerized with ethylene. The diolefins are preferably non-conjugated aliphatic diolefins such as 4-vinylcyclohexene or alicyclic diolefins having an endocyclic bridge such as dicyclopentadiene or methylene- and ethylidenenorbornene and conjugated aliphatic diolefins such as 1,3-butadiene, isoprene and 1,3-pentadiene.

The catalyst according to the invention is particularly well suited for the manufacture of homopolymers of ethylene and of copolymers containing at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, by weight of ethylene. The preferred comonomers are propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene.

The invention consequently also relates to a process for the polymerization of olefins as defined above using a catalyst in accordance with the invention. In the polymerization process according to the invention, polymerization can be carried out without distinction in solution, in suspension in a hydrocarbon diluent or alternatively in the gas phase. Good results are obtained in suspension polymerizations.

The suspension polymerization is carried out in a hydrocarbon diluent such as liquid aromatic, cycloaliphatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons at a temperature such that at least 80% (preferably at least 90%) of the polymer formed is insoluble therein. The preferred diluents are linear alkanes such as n-butane, n-hexane and n-heptane or branched alkanes such as isobutane, isopentane, isooctane and 2,2-dimethylpropane or cycloalkanes such as cyclopentane and cyclohexane or their mixtures.

The polymerization temperature is generally chosen between 20° and 200° C., preferably between 50° and 150° C., in particular between 80° and 115° C. The ethylene pressure is most often chosen between atmospheric pressure and 5 MPa, preferably between 0.4 and 2 MPa, more particularly between 0.6 and 1.5 MPa.

The polymerization can be carried out continuously or non-continuously, in a single reactor or in a number of reactors arranged in series, the polymerization conditions (temperature, optional comonomer content, optional hydrogen content, type of polymerization medium) in one reactor being different from those used in the other reactors.

EXAMPLES

The examples, the description of which follows, are used to illustrate the invention. In these examples, supports for catalysts were first prepared. Catalysts were then applied onto these supports. The supported catalysts thus obtained were employed to polymerize ethylene.

The meaning of the symbols used expressing the quantities mentioned and the methods of measuring these quantities are explained below.

SS=specific surface of the support measured by the method of penetration with nitrogen according to the volumetric method of British standard BS 4359/1 (1984).

PV=pore volume of the support, equal to the sum of the pore volume consisting of pores with a radius less than or equal to 75 Å, measured by the method of penetration with nitrogen according to the volumetric method of British standard BS 4359/1 (1984), and of the pore volume measured by the method of penetration with mercury by means of the porosimeter of Poro 2000 type marketed by Carlo Erba Co, according to Belgian standard NBN B 05-202 (1976).

T_(c) =crystallization temperature determined by means of the method defined above.

OF=oligomer fraction of the polymer, expressed in grams of oligomers per kilo of polymer and measured by extracting with hexane at the boiling temperature of hexane.

α=catalytic activity expressed in grams of polymer obtained per hour and per gram of catalyst used and divided by the partial pressure of the olefin expressed in bars.

T_(ind) =induction time, expressed in minutes and defined as being the time passed between introduction of the ethylene and the appearance of a pressure reduction characteristic of the beginning of polymerization.

HLMI=melt index of the molten polymer at 190° C., measured under a load of 21.6 kg and expressed in g/10 min, according to the ASTM standard D 1238 (1986).

η₀ /η₂ =ratio between the dynamic viscosity (η₀), expressed in dPa.s and measured at a rate gradient of 1 s⁻¹ and at 190° C., and the dynamic viscosity (η₂), expressed in dPa.s and measured at a rate gradient of 100 s⁻¹ and at 190° C.

Examples 1 and 2 (In Accordance with the Invention) A. Preparation of a Precursor Gel

a) First stage

A solution of water and of 1M hydrochloric acid was added dropwise to a solution of silicon tetraethoxide and ethanol, thermostatically controlled at 10° C., so as to obtain an H⁺ concentration of 0.1M. The amounts of silicon tetraethoxide, ethanol, water and hydrochloric acid which were used are presented in Table I. The hydrolysis medium thus obtained was then matured at 60° C. for 2 hours.

b) Second stage

An aqueous solution containing hydrated aluminium nitrate (Example 1) or chloride (Example 2) respectively and phosphoric acid was prepared, the amounts used being represented in Table I. The solution thus obtained was then added to the hydrolysis medium obtained in (a) with vigorous stirring and at 10° C.

c) Third stare

The mixture obtained in (b) was added to 500 g of an aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution with a pH of 8, thermostatically controlled at 10° C., the pH being kept constant at a value of 8, in order to carry out gelling.

d) Maturing

The gel obtained in (c) was matured at a pH of 8, for 2 hours, with gentle stirring and at 60° C.

B. Preparation of a Catalyst Support

a) Washing

The gel obtained in A was washed, first 3 times with water and then once by means of isopropanol, and a suspension of the gel in isopropanol was recovered.

b) Drying

The suspension obtained in (a) was atomized by passing through a spraying orifice with a diameter of 1 mm inside a chamber traversed by a stream of a gas containing essentially nitrogen. The flow rate of the gas was adjusted so that its temperature fell from 300° C., at the inlet of the chamber, to a temperature of 80° to 100° C. at the outlet of the latter. Particles were collected, after atomization, whose moisture content was below 1% by weight.

c) Calcination

The powder obtained in (b) was calcined in a fluidized bed while purging with dry air, for 4 hours at 500° C. A powder of a support was recovered whose composition (mol % of silica, alumina and aluminium phosphate), specific surface, pore volume and crystallization temperature are represented in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Example            1          2                                                ______________________________________                                         First step                                                                     amount used of:                                                                silicon tetraethoxide (g)                                                                         34.7       46.3                                             ethanol (g)        41.7       55.6                                             water (g)          18.9       24.9                                             1 M hydrochloric acid (g)                                                                         11.5       16.5                                             Second stage:                                                                  quantity used of:                                                              A1X.sub.3 · xH.sub.2 O (g)                                                               62.5       160.8                                                               X = NO.sub.3                                                                              X = Cl                                                              x = 9      x = 6                                            85% phosphoric acid (g)                                                                           25.6       25.6                                             water (g)          33.3       133.2                                            Support obtained:                                                              composition:                                                                   Si (% by wt)       14.6       8.9                                              Al (% by wt)       14.3       29.4                                             P (% by wt)        14.5       10.9                                             SS (m.sup.2 /g)    385        290                                              PV (cm.sup.3 /g)   2.47       3.44                                             T.sub.c (°C.)                                                                              >700       >700                                             ______________________________________                                    

C. Preparation of a Catalyst

The support obtained in B was mixed with chromium acetylacetonate in an amount such that the mixture comprised 0.7% by weight of chromium. The mixture thus obtained was then treated in a fluidized bed at 150° C. for 2 hours under a dry air purge. It was then calcined in the fluidized bed at 700° C. for 5 hours under dry air and the catalyst was recovered.

D. Polymerization of Ethylene

100 mg of the catalyst obtained in C and 1 liter of isobutane were introduced into a 3 liter autoclave dried beforehand and equipped with a stirrer. The temperature was raised to 104° C. and ethylene was introduced into the autoclave at a partial pressure of 1.09 MPa. Hydrogen was introduced at a partial pressure of 0.29 MPa. The ethylene pressure and the temperature were kept constant during the time necessary for the production of a defined amount of polyethylene. After degassing, the polymer was recovered in the form of particles, the properties of which are collated in Table II, as well as the activity of the catalyst.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         Example         1       2                                                      ______________________________________                                         α         34448   30032                                                  T.sub.ind       5       4                                                      HLMI            40      23                                                     OF              22      21                                                     η.sub.0 /η.sub.2                                                                       8.0     9.4                                                    ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A catalyst for the polymerization of olefins, said catalyst comprising chromium on a support comprising homogeneously dispersed therein silica and at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of alumina and aluminum phosphate, prepared by means of a process comprising in a first stage, adding an alcohol, water, a silicon alkoxide and an acid in amounts such that the water/silicon molar ratio is from 2 to 50, the first stage being carried out at an acid pH, the addition of water, acid, silicon alkoxide and alcohol being at a temperature, during the addition, ≦30° C.,maturing the mixture thus obtained at a temperature at least equal to 20° C. and lower than the boiling temperature of the mixture, so as to substitute at least part of the alkoxy groups of the silicon alkoxide by hydroxyl groups, without producing precipitation or gelling of silica, adding an acidic solution of at least one of aluminum compound and/or a solution of a source of phosphate ions, adding a gelling agent to the mixture thus obtained to form a precursor gel, washing said gel with water and then with an organic liquid, recovering a suspension of said gel in said organic liquid, drying said suspension by atomization to form a powder, and calcining said dried powder to form said support for said chromium catalyst for the polymerization of olefins.
 2. The catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the atomization is carried out by spraying the suspension of gel through an orifice of small size.
 3. The catalyst according to claim 2, wherein said spraying is carried out in a gas stream which is inert with respect to the gel.
 4. The catalyst according to claim 3, wherein the gas stream consists essentially of nitrogen and is free from oxygen.
 5. The catalyst according to claim 3, wherein the temperature of the gas stream is greater than 100° C.
 6. The catalyst according to claim 5, wherein the temperature of the gas stream is from 150° to 450° C. at the atomization orifice inlet, and from 20° to 200° C. at the end of the atomization.
 7. The catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the atomization is carried out at a pressure of 1 to 10 bar.
 8. A catalyst for the polymerization of olefins, said catalyst comprising chromium on a support comprising homogeneously dispersed therein, silica, alumina and aluminum phosphate, said support being prepared by means of a process comprising:in a first stage, adding an alcohol, water, a silicon alkoxide and an acid in amounts such that the water/silicon molar ratio is from 2 to 50, the first stage being carried out at an acid pH, the addition of water, acid, silicon alkoxide and alcohol being at a temperature, during the addition, ≦30° C., maturing the mixture thus obtained at a temperature at least equal to 20° C. and lower than the boiling temperature of the mixture, so as to substitute at least part of the alkoxy groups of the silicon alkoxide by hydroxyl groups, without producing precipitation or gelling of silica, adding an acidic solution of at least one of aluminum compound and/or a solution of a source of phosphate ions, adding a gelling agent to the mixture thus obtained to form a precursor gel, washing said gel with water and then with an organic liquid, recovering a suspension of said gel in said organic liquid, drying said suspension by atomization to form a powder, and calcining said dried powder to form said support for said chromium catalyst for the polymerization of olefins.
 9. A process for the polymerization of olefins according to which a catalyst in accordance with claim 1 is used.
 10. The process according to claim 9, applied to the polymerization of ethylene.
 11. In a process for polymerization of olefins, the improvement comprising a catalyst as set forth in claim
 8. 12. In a process for the polymerization of ethylene, the improvement comprising a catalyst as set forth in claim
 8. 